IT TOOK Fawad Ahmed more than two years to earn the right to stay in Australia, but just another week to become a professional cricketer.

The Pakistani leg-spinner's momentous past fortnight, which began with his recruitment as a net bowler for the Australian Test team and included securing the intervention of Immigration Minister Chris Bowen for a permanent visa, has been capped with a Melbourne Renegades contract for the Big Bash League Twenty20 tournament.

Ahmed, 30, has long been on the Renegades' radar but the catalyst for his eventual signing was Cricket Australia's decision to allow him to qualify as a local player rather than an international. Teams cannot have more than two internationals.

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''We'd always looked at him seriously but only as a replacement. Now that he's available to play the whole series as a domestic player, it's changed the momentum.''

Ahmed abandoned a promising first-class career in Pakistan because it prompted threats from religious extremists who believed he was promoting Western values. A New South Wales club sponsored his travel to Australia in mid-2010 and had been striving to remain in the country ever since.

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While Ahmed lives 10 minutes from the Renegades' home ground, Etihad Stadium, Coventry said three interstate teams had sought his signature for the BBL, which begins early next month.

''He's had a lot to consider over the past week since he found out about his residency. He just feels this is his home and he wants to stay here and play.''

Coventry stressed that the humanitarian aspect of Ahmed's signing had not trumped considerations of his cricketing ability.

''The feedback that came back from his bowling to [the Australian Test squad] in Brisbane a couple of weeks ago … from the players was that this guy is just incredible.

''Having guys like Murali [Muthiah Muralidaran] and Aaron O'Brien and now him in the mix, we've got some really good options for spin.

''He gives us that third spin option. He'll definitely play games, it's [just] a matter of when he plays.''

The Renegades have also signed their final local player, in-form Tasmania batsman Alex Doolan.

Doolan, 26, thrust his name into Test calculations with a stunning start to the first-class season, most notably 161 for Australia A against South Africa at the SCG.

Coventry said there was the possibility of a multi-season deal. ''He's a super talent. We're really excited to have him.''